Frangible connectors

ABSTRACT

Methods and apparatus for controlling a fluid passage provide at least one sliding gate movable transversely to that fluid passage. The fluid passage or the gate is maintained open in a first position of the gate, and is closed in a second position of that gate. A detent detains the gate in one of its first and second positions against a bias acting continuously on that gate. Upon release from that detent, the gate slides by virtue of its bias to the other of its first and second positions. The gate and fluid passage may be incorporated in a frangible connection and the gate may be released from its detent for automatic closure by its bias upon breakage of that frangible connection. Alternatively, the gate may be provided with a slanted surface which abuts another slanted surface around the fluid passage in the first position of the gate.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to fluid handling systems and apparatus, tofrangible and other fluid connectors, to valving and fluid gating, toconnectors and to connector systems with and without valves.

2. Information Disclosure Statement

The following disclosure statement is made pursuant to the duty ofdisclosure imposed by law and formulated in 37 CFR 1.56(a). Norepresentation is hereby made that information thus disclosed in factconstitutes prior art, inasmuch as 37 CFR 1.56(a) relies on amateriality concept which depends on uncertain and inevitably subjectiveelements of substantial likelihood and reasonableness and inasmuch as agrowing attitude appears to require citation of material which mightlead to a discovery of a pertinent material though not necessarily beingof itself pertinent. Also, the following comments contain conclusionsand observations which have only been drawn or become apparent afterconception of the subject invention or which contrast the subjectinvention or its merits against the background of developments which maybe subsequent in time or priority.

Also, the invention is not intended to be limited by any recidedsequence of method steps or apparatus elements.

U.S. Pat. No. 991,690, by C. L. Bowker, issued May 9, 1911, for a gatevalve using wedge-shaped ribs for forcing valve disks into engagementwith their seats.

U.S. Pat. No. 1,995,727, by H. L. Wetherbee, issued Mar. 26, 1935, forvalve for hot gas mains, also using a wedge to force the valve againstits seat.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,001,094, by F. Cuttle, issued May 14, 1935, for a gatevalve using inclined surfaces for dislodging the gate.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,282,553, by M. W. Banowetz, issued May 12, 1942, for agate valve using matching inclined gate and valve seat surfaces forsealing the valve shut.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,614,792, by J. Trefil, issued Oct. 21, 1952 for valveguide means transverse inclined surfaces for holding a closure membershut.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,823,888, by R. O. Wynn, issued Feb. 18, 1958, for a gatevalve using two ported abutting gate members having complementaryinclined inner faces for a valve sealing wedging action.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,834,571, by W. C. Hollander, issued May 13, 1958, forvalves with wedging valve elements.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,947,511, by W. McInnes, issued Aug. 2, 1960, for valveswith closing wedges.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,039,734, by D. W. Blevans, issued Jun. 19, 1962, forgate valves having wedge faces for moving a sealing ring into sealingengagement.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,138,174, by W. B. Gilpin, issued Jun. 23, 1964,discloses valves for automatically reducing the flow of a fluid which isin excess of normal flow. However, even in the open condition of thevalve, the fluid passage is obstructed by a tubular piston extension ina restrictive orifice.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,358,961, by R. A. Montgomery et al, issued Dec. 19,1967, discloses a pressure relief gate valve in which the gate orshutter is driven by an explosive.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,399,728, by A. R. Taylor, issued Sep. 3, 1968, disclosesa conduit closure apparatus in which rams are hydraulically driven tocrush a collapsible sleeve thereby sealing off a fluid passage.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,434,692, by C. L. Tillman, issued Mar. 25, 1969, for abifaced wedged gate valve using wedges and camming members for tightclosure.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,557,822, by C. H. Chronister, issued Jan. 26, 1971, fora gate valve having telescoping sleeve coacting sealing wedges.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,559,949, by E. Muller, issued Feb. 2, 1971, for a gatevalve with inclined spindle for wedging action of the valve disk.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,602,481, by L. Martin et al, issued Aug. 31, 1971, for aresilient seat gate valve with disk wedging action.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,692,043, by C. A. H. M. Waskowsky, issued Sep. 19, 1972,discloses a safety appliance for preventing an excessive flow of fluid,such as upon rupture of a pipe, wherein a fluid locking device obstructsa fluid flow passage at least partially, even in the open condition ofthe appliance.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,895,777, by E. G. Althaus, issued Jul. 22, 1975, for agate valve with wedge-shaped gate for increased sealing action.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,921,656, by D. T. Meisenheimer Jr., et al, issued Nov.25, 1975, discloses self-closing breakaway valve assemblies in which atrigger mechanism is in the fluid flow path between spring-biased rotaryvalve members.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,974,852, by T. Svensson, issued Aug. 17, 1976, disclosesa hose rupture valve in which a flow restriction disc is continuously inthe fluid passage in one position or the other.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,090,524, by A. R. Allread et al, issued May 23, 1978,discloses a frangible valved fitting utilizing spring-biased flappervalves.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,179,099, by E. K. Pierce, Jr., issued Dec. 18, 1979, foran expanding gate valve with cam surfaces for wedging action.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,195,813, by N. Cho, issued Apr. 1, 1980, for a valvewith interacting inclined surfaces for valve sealing action.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,319,604, by R. E. Bird, issued Mar. 16, 1982, disclosesa safety shut-off valve wherein valve elements are continuously in thefluid flow passage.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,326,555, by J. G. Thomson, issued Apr. 27, 1982,discloses a breakaway coupling having spring-biased pivotally moveablevalve petals.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,351,351, by J. F. Flory et al, issued Sep. 28, 1982,discloses a breakaway pipe coupling having spring-biased rotary valvesinterconnected by crank and rod couplings.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,361,165, by J. F. Flory, issued Nov. 30, 1982, disclosesa breakaway type coupling wherein one or more spring-biased flappervalves are continuously disposed in the fluid passage in one position oranother.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,373,548, by M. S. Chou, issued Feb. 15, 1983, disclosesa gas flow safety control device in which valve elements arecontinuously disposed in the gas flow passage.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,465,096, by L. G. Voisine, issued Aug. 14, 1984,discloses a breakaway fluid valve coupling in which valve elements arealso continuously disposed in the fluid flow passage.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,483,509, by Lewcock et al., issued Nov. 20, 1984, for aguillotine valve assembly with slanted rails for improved valve sealing.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,614,201, by F. E. King et al, issued Sep. 30, 1986,discloses a breakaway coupling for hose lines in which valve elementsare also continuously disposed in the fluid flow passage, even in theopen valve condition.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,640,303, by D. S. Greenberg, issued Feb. 3, 1987,discloses a seismically activated valve in which a ferromagnetic ball ismagnetically suspended, but drops into a closure position if seismicallymoved.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,688,592, by E. G. Tibbals, Jr, issued Aug. 25, 1987,discloses an earthquake tremor-responsive shut-off valve including amagnetically suspended pendulous weight adapted to be dropped forclosure of the valve upon occurence of a tremor.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,745,939, by C. W. Greer et al, issued May 24, 1988,discloses a shock-actuated shut-off valve with a tethered reset system.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,785,842, by A. W. Johnson, Jr, issued Nov. 22, 1988,discloses a resettable vibration-actuated emergency shutoff mechanismwherein a magnetically suspended valve mechanism is continuouslydisposed in the fluid flow passage.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,817,657, by M. Kovacs, issued Apr. 4, 1989, discloses aninertially activated shutoff valve wherein a plug is jarred free from amagnetic holding position to block the flow of fluid to the valve.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,833,461, by R. Yeager issued May 23, 1989, discloseselectrical circuitry for closing a gas line under the control of amotion detector.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,844,113, by C. R. Jones, issued Jul. 4, 1989, disclosesa safety valve in which a moveable poppet is held in a stable positionby magnets and by a moveable weight, which displaces the poppet inresponse to a seismic event.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide improved methods andapparatus for blocking a fluid passage.

It is germane object of the invention to provide improved frangiblefluid connectors and frangible connector systems.

It is a related object of the invention to provide improved methods andapparatus for controlling a fluid passage.

It is also an object of the invention to provide improved methods andapparatus for selectively blocking and deblocking fluid ports andpassages.

It is also an object of the invention to provide improved methods andapparatus for gating fluid.

It is a further object of the invention to provide improved connectorsand connector systems.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent in the furthercourse of this disclosure.

The invention resides in a method of blocking a fluid passage,comprising in combination the steps of incorporating that fluid passagein a frangible connection, providing a sliding gate movable transverselyto that fluid passage in the frangible connection, maintaining the fluidpassage open with the gate in a first position of that gate, closing thefluid passage with the gate in a second position of that gate, providinga detent and detaining the gate with that detent in an open positionagainst a bias acting continuously on that gate, releasing the slidinggate from that detent upon breakage of the frangible connection forsliding movement transversely to the fluid passage, sliding the gate byvirtue of its bias to a closed position, and sealing that gate to thefluid passage in the closed position of the gate.

From a related aspect thereof, the invention resides in apparatus forblocking a fluid passage, comprising, in combination, a frangibleconnection around that fluid passage, a sliding gate, means for mountingthat sliding gate in that frangible connection for movement transverselyto the fluid passage between a first position wherein the fluid passageis maintained open with the gate, and a second position wherein thatfluid passage is closed by that gate, a detent detaining the gate in thefirst position, a bias acting continuously on the gate for propellingthat gate to the other of its first and second positions upon releasefrom its detent, and means for releasing the sliding gate from itsdetent upon breakage of the frangible connection for sliding movementtransversely to the fluid passage to its second position whereby thefluid passage is closed by that gate.

The invention also resides in a method of controlling a fluid passage,comprising in combination the steps of, providing around the fluidpassage a first surface slanted relative to that fluid passage,providing a sliding gate movable transversely to that fluid passage,providing that gate with a slanted second surface abutting the firstsurface in a first position of the gate, maintaining the gate open inthe fluid passage in the first position of that gate, closing the fluidpassage with the gate in a second position of that gate, providing adetent and detaining the gate with that detent in one of its first andsecond positions against a bias acting continuously on that gate,releasing the sliding gate from its detent for sliding movementtransversely to the fluid passage, and sliding the gate by virtue of itsbias to the other of the first and second positions.

From a related aspect thereof, the invention resides in apparatus forcontrolling a fluid passage, comprising, in combination, a first surfacearound the fluid passage slanted relative to that fluid passage, asliding gate having a slanted second surface abutting that first surfacein a first position of that gate, means for mounting that sliding gatefor movement transversely to the fluid passage between its firstposition wherein the fluid passage is maintained open with its gate, anda second position wherein the fluid passage is closed by that gate, adetent detaining that gate in one of its first and second positions, abias acting continuously on that gate for propelling that gate to theother of its first and second positions upon release from its detent,and means for releasing that sliding gate from its detent uponoccurrence of a predetermined event for sliding movement transversely tothe fluid passage.

The invention resides also in a method of selectively blocking anddeblocking a fluid port in a fluid passage, comprising in combinationthe steps of, providing a pair of first and second sliding gates movabletransversely to that fluid passage, providing the first gate with afirst slanted surface around the fluid passage in an open position ofthat first gate, providing the second gate with a corresponding secondslanted surface adjacent the fluid passage in an open position of thatsecond gate, maintaining the fluid port open with the first gate in afirst position of that first gate and closing the fluid port with thatfirst gate in a second position of that first gate relative to the fluidpassage, providing a first detent and detaining the first gate with thatfirst detent in one of its first and second positions against a firstbias acting continuously on that first gate, releasing the first slidinggate from its first detent upon occurrence of a first event for slidingmovement transversely to the fluid passage, propelling the first gatewith its continuously acting first bias to the other of its first andsecond positions, providing a second detent and detaining the secondgate with that second detent in an open position of that second gateagainst a second bias acting continuously on that second gate, releasingthat second sliding gate from its second detent upon occurrence of asecond event for sliding movement transversely to the fluid passage,closing the fluid passage with that second gate by propelling thatsecond gate with its continuously acting second bias to its closedposition, and sealing the first and second gates to each other at thefirst and second slanted surfaces in an open position of the first gateand in the closed position of that second gate.

The invention resides also in a method of selectively blocking anddeblocking spaced first and second ports in a fluid passage, comprisingin combination the steps of, providing a pair of first and secondsliding gates movable transversely to that fluid passage, maintainingone of the first and second ports open with one of the first and secondgates in a first position of that one of the first and second gatesrelative to the fluid passage, closing that one of the first and secondports with that one of the first and second gates in a second positionof that one of the first and second gates, maintaining the other of thefirst and second ports open with the other of the first and second gatesin a first position of that other of the first and second gates relativeto the fluid passage, closing the other of the first and second portswith that other of the first and second gates in a second position ofthat other of the first and second gates, providing first and seconddetents and detaining the first and second gates with the first andsecond detents, respectively, in one of their respective first andsecond positions against a bias acting continuously on the gates,releasing the first sliding gate from its first detent upon occurrenceof an event for sliding movement transversely to the fluid passage,propelling the first gate with its continuously acting bias to the otherof its first and second positions, releasing the second sliding gatefrom its second detent upon occurrence of an event for sliding movementtransversely to the fluid passage, and propelling the second gate withits continuously acting bias to the other of its first and secondpositions.

From a related aspect thereof, the invention resides in apparatus forselectively blocking and deblocking spaced first and second ports in afluid passage, comprising in combination, a pair of first and secondsliding gates, means for mounting one of the first and second slidinggates for movement transversely to the fluid passage between a firstposition wherein one of the first and second ports is maintained openwith that one of the first and second gates, and a second positionwherein that one of the first and second ports is closed by that one ofsaid first and second gates, means for mounting the other of the firstand second sliding gates for movement transversely to the fluid passagebetween a first position wherein the other of the first and second portsis maintained open with that other of the first and second gates, and asecond position wherein that other of the first and second ports isclosed by that other of the first and second gates, first and seconddetents detaining the first and second gates, respectively, in one oftheir respective first and second positions, a bias acting continuouslyon the gates for propelling the gates to the other of their respectivefirst and second positions upon release from their detents, means forreleasing the first sliding gate from the first detent upon occurrenceof an event for sliding movement transversely to the fluid passage, andmeans for releasing the second sliding gate from the second detent uponoccurrence of an event for sliding movement transversely to the fluidpassage.

The invention resides also in a method of selectively blocking anddeblocking a first fluid port and a second fluid port in a fluidpassage, comprising in combination the steps of, providing a first pairof first and second sliding gates movable transversely to that fluidpassage at the first fluid port, providing a second pair of third andfourth sliding gates movable transversely to the fluid passage at thesecond fluid port, providing the first gate with a first slanted surfacearound the fluid passage, providing the second gate with a correspondingsecond slanted surface around the fluid passage adjacent the firstslanted surface, providing the third gate with a third slanted surfacearound the fluid passage, providing the fourth gate with a correspondingfourth slanted surface around the fluid passage adjacent the thirdslanted surface, maintaining the first fluid port open with the firstpair in a first position of the first and second gates and closing thatfirst fluid port with the first pair in a second position of the firstand second gates relative to each other, providing a first detent anddetaining that first pair of first and second sliding gates with thefirst detent in one of the first and second positions against a firstbias acting continuously on the first and second gates, releasing thefirst pair of sliding gates from the first detent upon occurrence of afirst event for sliding movement transversely to the fluid passage,propelling the first pair of sliding gates with the continuously actingfirst bias to the other of the first and second positions, maintainingthe second fluid port open with the second pair in a first position ofthe third and fourth gates and closing the second fluid port with saidsecond pair in a second position of that third and fourth gates relativeto each other, providing a second detent and detaining the second pairof third and fourth gates with that second detent in one of the firstand second positions of the third and fourth gates against a second biasacting continuously on the third and fourth gates, releasing the secondpair of sliding gates from said second detent upon occurrence of asecond event for sliding movement transversely to the fluid passage, andpropelling the second pair of third and fourth sliding gates with thecontinuously acting second bias to the other of their first and secondpositions.

From a related aspect thereof, the invention resides in apparatus forselectively blocking and deblocking a first fluid port and a secondfluid port in a fluid passage, comprising in combination, a first pairof first and second sliding gates movable transversely to that fluidpassage at the first fluid port, a second pair of third and fourthsliding gates movable transversely to that fluid passage at the secondfluid port, the first gate having a first slanted surface around thefluid passage, the second gate having a corresponding second slantedsurface around the fluid passage adjacent the first slanted surface, thethird gate having a third slanted surface around the fluid passage, thefourth gate having a corresponding fourth slanted surface around thefluid passage adjacent the third slanted surface, means for maintainingthe first fluid port open with the first pair in a first position of thefirst and second gates and for closing that first fluid port with thatfirst pair in a second position of the first and second gates relativeto each other, a first detent for detaining the first pair of first andsecond sliding gates in one of the first and second positions against afirst bias acting continuously on the first and second gates, means forreleasing the first pair of sliding gates from the first detent uponoccurrence of a first event for sliding movement transversely to thefluid passage, means for propelling the first pair of sliding gates withthe continuously acting first bias to the other of the first and secondpositions, means for maintaining the second fluid port open with thesecond pair in a first position of the third and fourth gates andclosing the second fluid port with the second pair in a second positionof said third and fourth gates relative to each other, a second detentfor detaining the second pair of third and fourth gates in one of thefirst and second positions of the third and fourth gates against asecond bias acting continuously on the third and fourth gates, means forreleasing the second pair of sliding gates from the second detent uponoccurrence of a second event for sliding movement transversely to thefluid passage, and means for propelling the second pair to third andfourth sliding gates with the continuously acting second bias to theother of their first and second positions.

The invention resides also in a method of gating a fluid, comprising incombination the steps of, providing a gate housing having a circularfluid inlet and an opposite circular fluid flow outlet, providing inthat gate housing a fluid gate moveable transversely to the fluid inletand fluid outlet, between a closed position wherein the fluid gateblocks passage of fluid between the fluid inlet and fluid outlet, and analternative open position, providing in that fluid gate a non-circularaperture having a height different from its width, but being equal incross-section to the circular fluid inlet, for conducting fluid betweenthe fluid inlet and fluid outlet in the open position of the fluid gateand providing a first non-circular fluid passage between the circularfluid inlet and the non-circular aperture, and a second non-circularfluid passage between the non-circular aperture and the circular fluidoutlet.

From a related aspect thereof, the invention resides in apparatus forgating a fluid, comprising in combination, a gate housing having acircular fluid inlet and an opposite circular fluid flow outlet, a fluidgate in that housing adapted for movement transversely to the fluidinlet and fluid outlet, between a closed position wherein the fluid gateblocks passage of fluid between the fluid inlet and fluid outlet, and analternative open position, a non-circular fluid-conducting aperture inthe fluid gate having a height different from its width, but being equalin cross-section to the circular fluid inlet, and a first non-circularfluid passage between the circular fluid inlet and the non-circularaperture, and a second non-circular fluid passage between thenon-circular aperture and the circular fluid outlet.

The invention resides also in a method of releasably connecting matchingfirst and second bodies of a connector to each other, comprising incombination the steps of providing the first body with a pair of spacedfirst and second shoulders of which the first shoulder is located closerto the second body than the second shoulder, providing an over-centertoggle mechanism with a first end portion connected to the second body,with an opposite second end portion resting on the second shoulder in anover-center position of the toggle mechanism and with an intermediateportion extending from that second end portion in the direction of thefirst end portion and having a third end portion abutting in theover-center position the first shoulder when the first and second bodiesare joined to each other, and engaging the first shoulder with the thirdend portion to releasably retain the first body connected to the secondbody.

From a related aspect thereof, the invention resides in apparatus forreleasably connecting matching first and second bodies of a connector toeach other, comprising, in combination, a pair of spaced first andsecond shoulders on the first body, with the first shoulder locatedcloser to the second body than the second shoulder, and an over-centertoggle mechanism having a first end portion connected to the secondbody, an opposite second end portion resting on the second shoulder inan over-center position of said toggle mechanism, and an intermediateportion extending from the second end portion in the direction of thefirst end portion and having a third end portion abutting in theover-center position the first shoulder when the first and second bodiesare joined to each other, whereby to releasably retain the first bodyconnected to the second body.

The invention resides also in a method of releasably connecting matchingfirst and second bodies of a connector to each other, comprising incombination the steps of, establishing a magnetic circuit through partsof the first and second bodies having a positive breakaway threshold,releasably retaining the first and second bodies in matchingrelationship with that magnetic circuit, and selectively breaking thefirst and second bodies away from each other by breaking that magneticcircuit.

From a related aspect thereof, the invention resides in apparatus forreleasably connecting matching first and second bodies of a connector toeach other, comprising, in combination, a magnetic circuit extendingthrough parts of the first and second bodies, preferably including polepieces, and means for selectively breaking the first and second bodiesaway from each other by breaking that magnetic circuit.

Preferred embodiments of this invention selectively release the firstand second bodies from each other by shunting the magnetic circuit,and/or incorporate a valve and a fluid passage in the connector, employthe magnetic circuit for releasably retaining the first and secondbodies in matching relationship with the fluid passage intact, and closethat fluid passage with the valve upon a breaking of the first andsecond bodies away from each other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject invention and its various aspects and objects will becomemore readily apparent from the following detailed description ofpreferred embodiments thereof, illustrated by way of example in theaccompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals designate likeor equivalent parts, and in which:

FIG. 1 is an axial section through a gate valve according to a firstembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a section taken on the line 2--2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a section taken on the line 3--3 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a section taken on the line 4--4 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but showing the valve in a closed,separated condition;

FIG. 6 is an axial section through a dual gate valve according to anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a section taken on the line 7--7 in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a section taken on the line 8--8 in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a section taken on the line 9--9 in FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 6, but showing the valve in a closed,separated condition;

FIG. 11 is an axial section through a gate valve according to a furtherembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 12 is a section taken on the line 12--12 in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a section taken on the line 13--13 in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a section taken on the line 14--14 in FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is a view similar to FIG. 11, but showing the valve in a closed,separated condition;

FIG. 16 is an axial section through a dual gate valve according toanother embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 17 is a section taken on the line 17--17 in FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a section taken on the line 18--18 in FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a section taken on the line 19--19 in FIG. 17;

FIG. 20 is a view similar to FIG. 16, but showing the valve in a closedcondition;

FIG. 21 is a section to an alternative detent structure according to anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 22 is a view similar to FIG. 21, but showing a further detentstructure according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 23 is an axial section through a dual gate valve according to afurther embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 24 is a view similar to FIG. 23, but showing the valve in a closedcondition;

FIG. 25 is an axial section through a gate valve assembly according toan embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 26 is a view similar to FIG. 26, but showing a modificationthereof;

FIG. 27 is an axial section through a composite gate valve according toan embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 28 is a view similar to FIG. 27 showing the valve in a bypasscondition;

FIG. 29 is a view similar to FIG. 27, but showing the valve in a closed,separated condition;

FIG. 30, 31 and 32 are views similar to FIGS. 27, 28 and 29, but showinga modification of that embodiment;

FIG. 33 is an axial section through a composite gate valve according toanother embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 34 is a view similar to FIG. 33 showing the valve in a first closedcondition;

FIG. 35 is a section taken on the line 35--35 in FIG. 33;

FIG. 36 is a view similar to FIG. 34 showing the valve in a bypasscondition;

FIG. 37 is a view similar to FIG. 36, but showing the valve in a secondclosed, separated condition;

FIGS. 39 to 41 are views similar to FIGS. 33, 34, 36 and 37, but showinga modification of that embodiment;

FIG. 42 is an axial section through a double dual gate valve accordingto another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 43 is a section taken on the line 43--43 in FIG. 42;

FIGS. 44 and 45 are views similar to FIGS. 42 and 43, but showing thevalve in a closed, separated condition;

FIG. 46 is an axial section through a gate valve according to a furtherembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 47 is a section taken on the line 47--47 in FIG. 46;

FIG. 48 is a section taken on the line 48--48 in FIG. 47;

FIG. 49 is a section taken on the line 49--49 in FIG. 47;

FIG. 50 is a view similar to FIG. 46, but showing the valve in a closedcondition;

FIG. 51 is an axial section through part of a connector according toanother embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 52 is a view similar to FIG. 51 showing the connector in aninterconnected condition;

FIG. 53 is a view similar to FIG. 51, but showing the connector in aseparating condition;

FIG. 54 is an axial section through a gate valve according to anembodiment of the invention similar to FIGS. 51 to 53;

FIG. 55 is a section taken on the line 55--55 in FIG. 54;

FIG. 56 is a view similar to FIG. 54, but showing the valve in a closed,separated condition;

FIG. 57 is an axial section through a magnetic frangible gate valveaccording to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 58 is a section taken on the line 58--58 in FIG. 57;

FIG. 59 is a section taken on the line 59--59 in FIG. 57;

FIG. 60 is a view similar to FIG. 57, but showing the valve in a closed,separated condition;

FIG. 61 is an axial section through another magnetic frangible gatevalve according to a further embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 62 is a section taken on the line 62--62 in FIG. 61;

FIG. 63 is a section taken on the line 63--63 in FIG. 61;

FIG. 64 is an axial section through a magnetic frangible dual gate valveaccording to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 65 is a section taken on the line 65--65 in FIG. 64; and

FIG. 66 is a section taken on the line 66--66 in FIG. 64.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The drawings presently to be discussed show apparatus and alsoillustrate methods and are thus described in functional and instructural language.

Methods and apparatus for blocking or controlling a fluid passageaccording to a preferred embodiment of the invention incorporate suchfluid passage 10 in a frangible connection or housing 12. Such frangibleconnection around the fluid passage may have an indentation or otherweakened portion 13 at which it will break upon impact or otherpredetermined event.

A sliding gate 14 is moveable transversely to the fluid passage 10 inthe frangible connection 12.

A base 15 and guides 16 and 17 mount the sliding gate 14 in thefrangible connection 12 for movement transversely to the fluid passagebetween a first position shown for instance in FIG. 1, wherein thatfluid passage 10 is maintained open with that gate, and a secondposition shown for instance in FIG. 5, wherein the fluid passage isclosed by that gate. In this or any other manner, the fluid passage ismaintained open with the gate in a first position of that gate, but isclosed with that gate in a second position of that gate 14.

The illustrated embodiment of the invention provides a detent 19 anddetains the gate 14 with that detent in a first or open position againsta bias acting continuously on that gate. That bias may be exerted by oneor more springs 21 and 22 acting continuously on the gate for propellingthat gate 14 to the other of its first and second positions upon releasefrom the detent 19.

The sliding gate 14 is released from the detent 19 upon breakage of thefrangible connection 12 and separation from part 27 for sliding movementtransversely to the fluid passage 10. A spring 23 may be provided forpushing the gate off its detent 19 or for otherwise releasing thesliding gate from its detent 19 upon breakage of the frangibleconnection for sliding movement transversely to said fluid passage toits second position whereby that fluid passage is closed by that gate14, as shown, for instance, in FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 5, the gate 14may be wedge-shaped or otherwise have a slanted surface 24 at the guidewhich is spaced from a corresponding slanted surface in that guide 16.Such showing of that arrangement may also be taken as an illustration ofthe corresponding design of gate 14 and guide 17 at that other guide.

Instead of the slanted surface or taper 24, a toggle action may be usedto press the gate against its seal.

In this or any equivalent manner, the spring 23 is able to push the gateoff its detent 19 when the valve parts 15 and 27 separate. The initialspacing between surfaces 24 and 25 assures that the springs 21 and 22are capable of propelling the gate from its open to its closed position.

The gate 14 thus will be slid or propelled by virtue of the bias at 21and 22 to its closed position whereby the slanted surface 24 will engagethe slanted surface 25 which will seal the gate 14 to the fluid passage10 in that closed position of gate 14, such as with the aid of an O-ring26.

FIG. 5 shows the parts 15 and 27 of the valve 28 broken apart along thefractioned frangible connection 13, and the closed gate 14 sealing off afuel line 29 or other fluid conduit relative to a further conduit 30 orrelative to the environment, for that matter.

When open, the fluid passage 10 preferably extends through the gate inthe first position of that gate 14. An aperture 31 may be provided inthe gate for that purpose. Unlike prior-art proposals which obstruct thefluid passage, the illustrated embodiment leaves the fluid passageunobstructed by the gate in the first position of that gate shown inFIG. 1. The gate advantageously may be provided with an aperture 31equal in cross-section to the fluid passage 10.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 is satisfactory if no backflow fromthe line 30 is to be feared or if that conduit need not otherwise besealed off when the frangible connection breaks at 13. However, adual-gate structure is preferred if that is not the case or ifflexibility of control is desired.

In this respect and in general, FIGS. 6 to 10 as well as some of theother figures show methods and apparatus for blocking spaced first andsecond ports 32 and 33 in a fluid passage 10. That embodiment of theinvention provides a pair of first and second sliding gates 14 and 34moveable transversely to the fluid passage 10. One of these first andsecond ports, such as the port 32, is maintained open with one of saidfirst and second gates, such as the gate 14, in a first position of thatone of these first and second gates relative to the fluid passage 10.That one of the first and second ports, e.g. port 32, is closed with theone of said first and second gates, e.g. gate 14, in a second positionof that one of the first and second gates. Reference may be had to theabove description of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 forinformation on the structure and operation of the means 15, 16 and 17,etc., for mounting the one of said first and second sliding gates, e.g.gate 14, for movement transversely to the fluid passage 10 between afirst position, such as the one shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 and 6 to 9,wherein that one port, such as the gate 14, is maintained open with thatone gate 14, and a second position, such as shown in FIG. 10, whereinthat one port is closed by that one gate 14. These means 15, 16, 17 areduplicated in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 to 10 and thus includemeans for mounting the other of first and second sliding gates, such asthe sliding gate 34, for movement transversely to the fluid passage 10between a first position such as the one shown in FIGS. 6 to 9, whereinthat other of the first and second ports, such as the port 33, ismaintained open with that other of the first and second gates, e.g. gate34, and a second position, such as shown in FIG. 10, wherein that otherport 33 is closed by that other gate 34. In other words, a sectionthrough FIG. 6 looking in the direction (i.e. to the right) opposite tothe direction of arrows 7--7, would be an inverted mirror image of thesection shown in FIG. 7, and a section corresponding to section 9--9 inFIG. 7 would produce for the valve port 34, gate 34 and related guidesand components a section which is an inverted mirror image of FIG. 9.Accordingly, in an effort to maintain the number of drawings withinreasonable limits, such mirror-image sections have not been shown indrawings which show a second gate in dual-gate structures. Nevertheless,it should be clear from what has been shown how illustrated embodimentsmaintain the other of the first and second ports, e.i. port 33, openwith the other of the first and second gates, e.g. gate 34, in a firstposition of that other of the first and second gates relative to thefluid passage 10, and how they close that other of said first and secondports, e.g. port 33, with that other of the first and second gates, e.g.gate 34, in a second position of that other gate 34.

Illustrated dual-gate embodiments of the invention provide first andsecond detents 19 and 39 and detain the first and second gates 14 and 34with such first and second detents, respectively, in one of theirrespective first and second positions against a bias acting continuouslyon said gates, such as shown in FIGS. 6 to 9. That bias may again beexerted by springs 21 and 22 for the first gate 14 and by correspondingsprings for the second gate 34, one of which is seen at 42 in FIGS. 6and 10.

A bias acting continuously on the gates 14 and 34 for propelling thesegates to the other of their respective first and second positions uponrelease from detents 19 and 39 may, however, be provided in any othersuitable manner.

The sliding gates 14 and 34 may be released from their detents andclosed upon fracture of the frangible connection 13, as alreadydescribed above in connection with FIGS. 1 to 5. However, dual andmulti-gate structures according to embodiments of the subject inventionare more versatile, and their function may thus be stated as releasingthe first sliding gate 14 from the first detent 19 upon occurrence of anevent, for sliding movement transversely to the fluid passage 10,propelling that first gate with its continuously acting bias 21, 22 froma first to a second position, releasing the second sliding gate 34 fromits second detent 39 upon occurrence of the same or another event, forsliding movement transversely to the fluid passage, and propelling thatsecond gate with its continuously acting bias 42 from a first to asecond position.

Means for releasing the first sliding gate 14 from the first detent 19upon occurrence of an event for sliding movement transversely to saidfluid passage 10 may again include the spring 23 in conjunction with theinitial gap between gate and guide surfaces 24 and 25. A like spring andarrangement may be used for releasing the second sliding gate 34 fromthe second detent 39 upon occurrence of an event for sliding movementtransversely to the fluid passage 10.

According to one type of embodiment, both of the first and second gates14 and 34 may be released upon occurrence of the same or identicalevent, such as the fracture of a frangible connection. By way ofexample, the fluid passage 10 may be incorporated in a frangibleconnection 12 shown also in FIGS. 6 et seq., and both sliding gates 14and 34 are released from their detents to their second positions uponbreakage of that frangible connection at 13. Both conduits 29 and 30 arethus reliably sealed off and the environment is protected against fuelspills or other possibly noxious fluid escapes.

Straight gates are satisfactory if the object is to close the gate orgates if the valve portions come apart, such as in the case of thefrangible connection 12 fracturing at 13. However, if the gate releasingevent is an event other than separation of the valve portions 15 and 27,or any event preceding the frangible separation, then the preferredembodiment of the invention requires the valve to have a first slantedsurface around the fluid passage 10 or gate aperture 31 contacting acorresponding second surface, such as in the second gate 34 if any, oraround a fluid passage insert or otherwise around the fluid passage.Such corresponding slanted surfaces, abutting in the open valveposition, are then necessary to assure a reliable closure of the valveor a reliable opening for that matter.

Accordingly, that aspect of the invention provides around the fluidpassage 10 a first surface 51 slanted relative to that fluid passage orto a longitudinal axis 52 thereof, and provides a gate 54 with a slantedsecond surface 55 abutting the first surface 51 in an open position ofthat gate, as shown, for instance, in FIGS. 11 et seq. This is to bedistinguished from prior-art approaches which provide slanted surfacesfor sealing a gate or other valve element to a fluid port or otherwisesealing the valve shut. This aspect of the invention slants surfaces 51,55, etc. to facilitate opening of the gate valve or even to enablebypassing of one or more closed gates, such as in the manner more fullydisclosed below.

The embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 11 et seq. providesaround the fluid passage 10 a first surface 51 slanted relative to thatfluid passage. A sliding gate 54 movable transversely to that fluidpassage is provided with a slanted second surface 55 abutting the firstsurface 51 in a first position of said gate, such as in the openposition shown in FIG. 11. The gate 54 may correspond to the gate 14 andmay be maintained open in the fluid passage in the first position ofsaid gate, and the fluid passage may be closed with the gate 54 in asecond position of said gate, all in the manner described above for thegate 14. Accordingly, the gate 54 may also be detained with a detent 19in one of its first and second positions against a bias actingcontinuously on that gate, and may be released from such detent forsliding movement transversely to the fluid passage 10. Springs 21 and 22may also be employed for sliding the gate 54 by virtue of their bias tothe other of its first and second positions, such as the closed positionshown in FIG. 15, especially if the frangible connection 12 is againbeing used.

FIGS. 16 to 20 show a dual-gate embodiment of the invention in which oneof the first and second gates, such as a gate 64 corresponding forinstance, to the gate 34 in FIGS. 6 to 10, is provided with the firstslanted surface 51 around the fluid passage 10, while the other of saidfirst and second gates, such as the gate 54, is provided with thecorresponding second slanted surface 55 around that fluid passage. Thesefirst and second gates 54 and 64 are sealed to each other at their firstand second slanted surfaces 51 and 55 around the fluid passage 10 in anopen position of such first and second gates.

Pins 61 and 62 may be employed for interconnecting the two valveportions 15 and 27 at their gate guides 16, 17, etc. In this manner, thevalve may be built as frangible at pins 61 and 62, rather than at abreakable housing.

The detents may have a different form than the pins or dowels shown inFIGS. 1 to 20. By way of further example, FIG. 21 shows matching squareshoulders 66 and 67 acting as a detent for a modified gate 60 which may,for instance, correspond to the gate 14. FIG. 22 shows preferablyannular tapered shoulders 68 around the fluid passage 10, acting as adetent for a gate 70 which has a corresponding recess 69. In such cases,the gate release spring 23 may be replaced by a helical spring 73 forpushing the gate off the recess.

FIGS. 23 and 24 show features which may also be employed in theembodiments already described or in other embodiments herein shown. Forinstance, FIGS. 23 and 24 show actuators 75 and 76 for moving thedetents 19 and 39 or other releasable gate detention pins or devices,respectively.

In this manner, any of the sliding gates in FIGS. 11 to 24, forinstance, may be released manually from its detent. This is hereinintended to include the case where the detent 19 or 39 is withdrawn fromthe gate, such as by one of the controls 75 and 76. The above mentionedsprings 23 and 73 may then be omitted.

One or more sliding gates may similarly be released in response tooccurrence of a change in temperature, such as when one or more of theactuators 75 and 76 are thermostats or are thermostatically controlled.

Similarly, one or more sliding gates may be released in response tooccurrence of a sudden motion, such as when one or more of the actuators75 and 76 are seismic devices or are seismically controlled.

Alternatively, one or more sliding gates may be released in response tooccurrence of a pressure surge. In this respect and in general, anysliding gate may be released from its detent by a pressure actuator orby remote control, as indicated by wiring 78 and 79 at the actuator 75and 76, for instance.

By way of example, the gates in FIGS. 23 and 24 may be the same as thegates 54 and 64 in FIGS. 16 to 20 and the views shown in FIGS. 17, 18and 19 may also be the views for FIG. 23, except for a resetting featurepresently to be described.

In particular, FIGS. 23 and 24 show the gates 54 and 64 equipped withreset rods 58 and 59, respectively. These rods stick out of theconnector housing 12 to indicate release of the gates 54 and 64, as inFIG. 24. The gates may then be manually reset, such as by pushing therods 58 and 59 back to their reset position shown in FIG. 23 while thedetents 19 and 39 are withdrawn by the controls 75 and 76 and arereinserted into the gates to retain these gates against the bias ofsprings 21, 22 and 42, for instance.

In this or any other manner, the gates 54 and 64 and for that matter thegates 14 and 34 may be reset to their one of their first and secondpositions, and such reset gates may be detained with their detents 19and 39 in that one of their first and second positions against the biasof springs 21, 22, 42 or the like. Withdrawal of the detents forresetting may not be necessary if such detents have slanted faces and ifsprings 23 are used, or if the construction shown in FIGS. 21 and 22 isfollowed. Of course, a resetting mechanism may not be necessary in thecase of frangible connectors which do not have any release other thantheir release and closing upon breakage of the connector, and whichbecome useless after fracture.

However, resetting mechanisms are generally useful if gates are actuatedby or in response to events other than connector breakage.

FIGS. 25 and 26 show a second fluid passage 80 in parallel to thefirst-mentioned fluid passage 10, and a second frangible connector 112in that second fluid passage. The first frangible connector 12 in thefirst fluid passage 10 may be the same as the connector shown in FIGS.11 to 15, 16 to 20, or 23 and 24, equipped with a manual or automaticrelease or actuator 76.

Alternatively the connector 112 may be used by itself or in connectionwith another connector or valve. In either case, the connector 112 shownin FIG. 25 and its expanded version shown in FIG. 26 provides or has apair of first and second sliding gates 84 and 86 movable transversely tothe fluid passage 80. The first gate is provided with a first slantedsurface 85 around the fluid passage 80 in an open position of that firstgate 84, or around the first gate aperture 131. The second gate isprovided with a corresponding second slanted surface 87 adjacent thefluid passage 80 in an open position of that second gate 86.

A fluid port 133 is maintained open with the first gate 84 in a firstposition of that first gate, but is closed with that first gate in asecond position of that first gate relative to the fluid passage 80. Afirst detent 119 detains the first gate 84 in one of its first andsecond positions against a first bias acting continuously on that firstgate, such as with the aid of one or more bias springs 42 such asdisclosed above. In FIGS. 25 and 26, the detent 119 detains the gate 84in a closed position, whereby the valve or connector 112 is a normallyclosed connector, while the other valve or connector 12 is normally openin FIGS. 25 and 26.

Conversely, the valve or gate 84 could be held normally open with thedetent 119. In either case, the first sliding gate 84 is released fromthe first detent 119 upon occurrence of a first event for slidingmovement transversely to the fluid passage 80 or port 133. Such releasemay be a withdrawal of the detent 119 from the gate 84 by the control75. The released first gate 84 is propelled with the continuously actingfirst bias 42 to the other of its first and second positions, such as tothe open position whereby the gate aperture 131 is aligned with thefluid passage 80 or port 133.

A second detent 139 is also provided, and the second gate 86 is detainedwith that second detent 139 in an open position of that second gateagainst a second bias 142 acting continuously on that second gate. Thatsecond sliding gate 86 is released from its second detent 139 uponoccurrence of a second event for sliding movement transversely to thefluid passage 80. Such second event is different from the first eventwhich releases the first gate 84. By way of example, the second eventmay be a fracture of a frangible connector 112 at 113. In either case,the fluid passage 80 is closed with the second gate by propelling thatsecond gate 86 with its continuously acting second bias 142 to itsclosed position. The first and second gates are sealed to each other attheir first and second slanted surfaces 81 and 85 in an open position ofthe first gate 84 and in the closed position of the second gate 86. Inthis manner, the port 133 is reliably sealed off, even if the gate 84 isthen in an open position.

The valve or connector 212 shown in FIG. 26 may be employed when it isimportant that the port 132 be also closed off. That embodiment providesa third sliding gate 114 which may be similar to the gate 14 in FIGS. 1to 5. That third sliding gate is also moveable transversely to the fluidpassage between the second sliding gate 86 and the further fluid port132 in the fluid passage 80.

The frangible connection 113 is now provided between the second andthird sliding gates 86 and 114. The further fluid port 132 is maintainedopen with the third gate in a first position of that third gate 114.Conversely the further fluid port 132 is closed with the third gate 114in a second position of that third gate 114.

A third detent 119 detains the third gate in an open position against athird bias 122 acting continuously on that third gate 114.

The second and third sliding gates 86 and 114 are released from theirsecond and third detents 139 and 119 upon breakage of the frangibleconnection 113 for sliding movement transversely to the fluid passage80. The further fluid port 132 is closed by sliding the third gate 114by virtue of its third bias 122 to a closed position, while propellingthe second gate with its second bias 142 to its closed position as well.Both fluid ports 132 and 133 are thus reliably sealed off, even if thefirst gate 84 should happen to be open at that point.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 25 and 26, the controls 75 and 76 canoverride each other. For instance, if the gate 64 closes automaticallyor by remote control, the pilot or other operator may still need fuel orsupply of another fluid. In these and other cases, he, she, or anothercontrol 75 can override or circumvent the then closed gate 64 by openingthe normally closed gate 84, such as by withdrawal of the detent 119.

Of course, no override is generally desired if the frangible connectorsbreak up due to a crash or otherwise. For that event, FIGS. 23 and 24provide one or more automatic shutoff gates 86 and 114 as describedabove.

The sliding gates 54 and 64 may be provided in a similar frangibleconnector 12 so that the fluid passage 10 is cut off as well in case ofa crash or other breakage of the frangible connection 13.

More generally speaking, the fluid passage 80, in which the gate valve112 or 212 is provided, may be structured as a bypass of another fluidpassage 10, and other sliding gates 54 and 64 may be provided forselectively opening and closing that other fluid passage. The gate 84may then be used or actuated for selectively bypassing the other slidinggates when their other fluid passage 10 has been closed, such as byenergization of the actuator 76 shown in FIGS. 25 and 26.

The embodiments of the invention according to FIGS. 27 to 41 provide thefirst slanted surface 51 in a fluid passage insert 151 spaced from afluid port 152 in the fluid passage 10 and provide the sliding gate 54in the fluid passage between that fluid port and that fluid passageinsert for closure of that fluid port in the second position of the gateas shown in FIGS. 28, 29, 31, 32, 34 to 37 and 39 to 41. On the otherhand, as in FIGS. 11, 16, 23, 25, 26, the first and second slantedsurfaces 51 and 55 are sealed to each other around the fluid passagewhen that fluid passage is open to the fluid port 152 in the firstposition of the gate 54 as also shown in FIGS. 27, 30, 33 and 38.Conversely, the first and second slanted surfaces 51 and 55 areseparated from each other and the fluid port 152 is closed with thesliding gate in the second position of that gate 54.

The currently discussed embodiment also provides a bypass port 154spaced from the fluid port 152.

The bypass 154 is normally closed such as by a valve 155 as shown inFIGS. 27 and 30, or by another sliding gate 156 as shown in FIGS. 33,34, 38 and 39. However, the bypass may be opened, such as manually or byan actuator 158 energized through wires 159 from a remote control. Inthe embodiments of FIGS. 27, 30, 33 and 38 this is of no effect if thegate 54 is open and the slanted surfaces 51 and 55 are sealed to eachother.

However, as indicated by a dotted line 158 in FIGS. 28, 31, 36 and 40, aclosed fluid port is selectively bypassed through the bypass port 154and past the then separated first and second slanted surfaces 51 and 55.Accordingly, the bypass 154 or its control 158 are able to override thecontrol 75 or other actuation of the gate valve 54.

As also shown in FIGS. 27 to 40, an embodiment of the invention providesthe first slanted surface 51 in a fluid passage insert 151 between afirst fluid port 152 and a second fluid port 159 in the fluid passage10. The sliding gate is provided in the fluid passage between the firstfluid port 152 and the fluid passage insert 151 for closure of thatfirst fluid port in the second position of said gate 54 shown, forinstance in FIGS. 28, 29, 31, 32, 34 to 37 and 39 to 41, as alreadymentioned above.

However, the illustrated embodiment also provides between the secondfluid port 159 and the fluid passage insert 151 a second sliding gate 14movable transversely to the fluid passage. At least that second slidinggate and the fluid port 159 are incorporated in a frangible connection12.

The second fluid port 159 is maintained open with the second gate 14 ina first position of that second gate. That embodiment closes the fluidpassage insert 151 with the second gate 14 in a second position of thatsecond gate. In this respect, a second detent is provided and the secondgate is detained with that second detent in an open position against asecond bias 22 acting continuously on that second gate 14.

As its predecessor in FIGS. 1 to 10, that second sliding gate 14 isreleased from the second detent 19 upon breakage of the frangibleconnection 13 for sliding movement transversely to the fluid passage 10or fluid passage insert 151. The second gate 19 thus slides by virtue ofits second bias 22 to a closed position, such as shown in FIGS. 29, 32,37 and 41, closing the fluid passage insert 151 with the second gate inthat closed position of that second gate 14.

In the embodiments of FIGS. 27 to 32 the bypass port 154 is a thirdfluid port in parallel to the first fluid port 152 for selectivelypassing fluid 158 through that third fluid port 154 and in between thenow separated first and second slanted surfaces 51 and 55 through thefluid passage insert 151 and through the second fluid port 159, when thefirst fluid port 152 is closed while the second fluid port 159 is open,as shown in FIGS. 28 and 31, for instance.

In the illustrated embodiments of FIGS. 30 to 32 and 38 to 41, a pair offurther sliding gates 14 and 34, moveable transversely to the fluidpassage 10, is provided between the fluid passage insert 151 and thesecond fluid port 159. At least that pair of further sliding gates andthat second fluid port are incorporated in a frangible connection 12.

As shown in FIGS. 30 and 31 and 38 to 40, the second fluid port 159 ismaintained open with the pair of further gates 14 and 34 in theircorresponding first positions shown in FIGS. 30 and 31 and 38 to 40, andalso in FIG. 6 for that matter.

Conversely, the fluid passage insert 151 and the second port 59 areclosed with the pair of further gates 14 and 34 in corresponding secondpositions of these further sliding gates, shown in FIGS. 10, 32 and 41.Further detents 19 and 39 are provided for detaining the pair of furthergates 14 and 34 with such further detents in open positions against afurther bias 22 and 42 acting continuously on that pair of furthergates, as in FIGS. 6, 30 to 31, and 38 to 40.

The pair of further sliding gates 14 and 34 is released from theirfurther detents 19 and 39 upon breakage of the frangible connection at13 for sliding movement transversely to the fluid passage 10 or fluidpassage insert 151 and second fluid port 159.

The pair of further gates 14 and 34 are slid by virtue of their furtherbias 22 and 42 to their closed position shown also in FIG. 10, and thefluid passage insert 151 and second fluid port are closed with the pairof further gates in the closed position of that pair of further gates 14and 34, as shown in FIG. 32 and 41, for instance.

In this manner, backflow of fluid through the second port is preventedas well upon breakage of the frangible connection at 13.

As apparent from this disclosure, the embodiments of FIGS. 33 to 41 havemuch in common with the embodiments in the preceding figures. However,they may also be considered separately as follows.

In particular, FIGS. 33 to 41 show connectors 161 and 162 having twofluid passage inserts 150 and 151 mutually spaced between first andsecond fluid ports 152 and 159 in the fluid passage 10.

The first fluid passage insert 150 has a first surface 255 slantedrelative to the fluid passage 10 or its longitudinal axis 256. Thesecond fluid passage insert 151 has the previously described surface 55slanted relative to the fluid passage 10.

A first gate 156 is located between the first port 152 and first fluidpassage insert 150 and is slidable between such first fluid port andfirst fluid passage insert transversely to the fluid passage 10. Asecond gate 54 is located between the first and second fluid passageinserts 150 and 151 and is slidable between such first and second fluidpassage inserts transversely to the fluid passage 10.

The first sliding gate 156 and first fluid passage insert 150 havecorresponding first and second surfaces 251 and 255 slanted relative tothe fluid passage 10 or to its longitudinal axis 256. Similarly, thesecond slidable gate 54 and the second fluid passage insert 151 havecorresponding third and fourth surfaces 51 and 55 slanted relative tothe fluid passage 10.

In the open position of the first slidable gate 156 shown in FIGS. 33,34, 38 and 39, the first and second slanted surfaces 251 and 255 are inengagement with each other around the open fluid passage 10. Similarly,in the open position of the second slidable gate 54, the third andfourth slanted surfaces 51 and 55 are in engagement with each otheraround the fluid passage 10. Accordingly, a bypass or third port 154 inthe first fluid passage insert 150 is ineffective as long as the firstand second sliding gates 156 and 54 are in their open position. Asapparent from FIGS. 34 and 39, this is still the case even after thesecond sliding gate 54 has been released to its closed position. In thatrespect, the sliding gate 54 may be closed by virtue of a bias 122 uponwithdrawal of a detent 119, such as by an actuator 75. In that case, theactuator is capable of effecting a stopage of the fluid flow through thevalve 161 or 162.

On the other hand, the operator or another control can override thatfluid passage by transversely sliding the first gate 156 from its firstposition in alignment with the first fluid port 52 shown in FIGS. 33,34, 38 and 39 to its second position out of alignment with the firstfluid port 152, as shown in FIGS. 36, 37, 40 and 41, either manually orby energization of an actuator 76 shown in dotted outline in FIGS. 33 to41 as being hidden from view by the inlet or top fluid pipe as shown inFIGS. 33 et seq. The actuator 76 may be the same kind as shown in FIG.24, having a rod 39 entering an aperture 254 in the gate 156 forreleasably detaining that gate against the bias of springs 21 and 22.Instead of going sidewise, as the other gates, the gate 156 goes backand forth as seen in FIGS. 35 and 36 for instance, transversely to thefluid passage 10. If the actuator 76 withdraws the rod 39 out of thecorresponding aperture 254 in the gate 156, the bias of springs 21 and22 propels the gate along guides 16 and 17 upward as seen in thecross-section of FIG. 35, or to the front as seen in the verticalcross-section of FIG. 36, whereby the bypass aperture 254 in gate 156becomes aligned with the inlet port 152 instead of the regular gateaperture. In that case, fluid 158 can flow through the first fluid port152, the bypass aperture 254, in between the now separated slantedsurfaces 251 and 255, bypass port 154, and the now separated slantedsurfaces 51 and 55 through the second fluid port 159, as shown in FIGS.36 and 40. The gate 156 or its actuator 76, thus may serve as anoverride of the gate 54 or its actuator 75.

Nevertheless, all fluid flow at least through the first port 152 isstopped by the then closed third sliding gate 14 upon fracture of thefrangible connection at 13, as shown in FIG. 37, for instance. Moreover,all fluid backflow is also stopped through the second fluid port 159when breakage of the frangible connection at 13 causes also the fourthsliding gate to close that second fluid port as shown in FIG. 41, forinstance.

In practice, the gate 54 in the embodiments of FIGS. 27 to 41 and thegate 156 in the embodiments of FIGS. 33 to 41 may be reset mechanicallyor manually as disclosed above with respect to or in FIGS. 23 and 24.

A double-double gate arrangement 300 capable of blocking off both fluidports 32 and 33 is shown in FIGS. 42 to 45. That embodiment of theinvention is representative of methods and apparatus for selectivelyblocking and deblocking a first fluid port 32 and a second fluid port 33in a fluid passage 10. These methods and apparatus provide a first pair301 of first and second sliding gates 302 and 303 movable transverselyto the fluid passage 10 at the first fluid port 32, a second pair 305 ofthird and fourth sliding gates 306 and 307 movable transversely to thefluid passage 10 at the second fluid port 33. The first gate has or isprovided with a first slanted surface 308 around the fluid passage. Thesecond gate has or is provided with a corresponding second slantedsurface 309 around the fluid passage adjacent the first slanted surface308. The third gate has or is provided with a third slanted surface 312around the fluid passage. The fourth gate has or is provided with acorresponding fourth slanted surface 313 around the fluid passageadjacent said third slanted surface 312.

The first fluid port 32 is maintained open with the first pair 301 in afirst position of its first and second gates 302 and 303, and that firstfluid port 32 is closed with that first pair 301 in a second position ofthese first and second gates 302 and 303 relative to each other. A firstdetent 319 detains the first pair of first and second sliding gates 302and 303 in one of their first and second positions, such as in the openposition shown in FIGS. 42 and 43, against a first bias 321 and/or 322acting continuously on such first and second gates.

That first pair 301 of sliding gates is released from the first detent319 upon occurrence of a first event for sliding movement transverselyto the fluid passage 10, and that first pair of sliding gates 302 and303 is propelled with the continuously acting first bias 321 and/or 322to the other of their first and second positions, such as to the closedposition shown in FIGS. 44 and 45.

Gate guides 316 and 317 similar to the guides 16 and 17 shown in FIGS. 2and 4, may be provided for guiding the gates 302 and 303, and similarguides may also be provided for guidance of the gates 306 and 307.

The second fluid port 33 is maintained open with the second pair 305 ina first position of its third and fourth gates 306 and 307, and thatsecond fluid port 33 is closed with that second pair 305 in a secondposition of these third and fourth gates 306 and 307 relative to eachother. A second detent 339 detains the second pair of third and fourthgates 306 and 307 in one of the first and second positions of thesethird and fourth gates, such as in their open position shown in FIGS. 42and 43, against a second bias 342 acting continuously on these third andfourth gates.

That second pair 305 of sliding gates is released from the second detent339 upon occurrence of a second event for sliding movement transverselyto the fluid passage 10, and that second pair of third and fourthsliding gates 306 and 307 is propelled with the continuously actingsecond bias 342 to the other of their first and second positions, suchas to the closed position shown in FIGS. 44 and 45.

The mentioned first and second events affecting the first and secondpairs of gates 301 and 305 may be one and the same event, such as thefracture of the frangible connection 13. On the other hand, when remoteor other controls 75, 76, etc. are also used in the embodiment of FIGS.42 to 45, that embodiment is more flexible, and either gate pair 301 and305 may be maintained closed with the detent 319 or 339, to be openedwith the bias 321, 322 or 342.

By way of example, FIGS. 46 to 50 show features for gating a fluidaccording to a further aspect of the invention, in terms of the dualgate valve of FIGS. 6 to 10. However, it should be understood that thesefeatures may be used with the other gate valves herein disclosed or evenwith prior-art gate valves or with other methods or apparatus for gatinga fluid.

Again, the embodiment of FIGS. 46 to 50 provides a gate housing 12having a circular fluid inlet 129 and an opposite circular fluid flowoutlet 130, and provides in that gate housing a fluid gate 114 moveabletransversely to the fluid inlet and fluid outlet, between a closedposition wherein that fluid gate blocks passage of fluid between thefluid inlet and fluid outlet, and an alternative open position. Theembodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 46 to 50 further provides inthe fluid gate 114 a non-circular aperture 110 having a height 212different from its width 213, but being equal in cross-section to thecircular fluid inlet 129 and/or to the circular fluid outlet 130, forconducting fluid between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet in theopen position of the fluid gate. Fluid inlet and outlet 129 and 130being interchangeable as inlets and outlets. The illustrated embodimentfurther provides a first non-circular fluid passage 232 between thecircular fluid inlet 129 and the non-circular aperture 110, and a secondnon-circular fluid passage 233 between that non-circular aperture andthe circular fluid outlet 130, serving as transitions between thecircular and non-circular fluid passages 129-110-130.

While that principle is also applicable to single-gate structures, suchas the one shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, FIGS. 46 to 50 show dual gates 14 and34 having the oval or non-circular apertures 110. This may be expresseddifferently as subdividing the gate 114 into two oppositely moveablegate sections 14 and 34 and providing the non-circular aperture 110through both of these gate sections, such as in the form of non-circularapertures 210 and 310, constituting the compound gate aperture 110 inthe open gate position shown in FIG. 46.

Oval or non-circular apertures 110, 210, and 310 help the design andconstruction of gate valve without diminishing the effective fluid flowcross-section. For instance, as apparent from FIG. 47, more space forgate movement can be made available, if the gate aperture 110 is madeoval, rather than circular.

FIGS. 51 et seq. disclose an alternative frangible connector which maybe used for the gate valves herein disclosed in lieu of the frangibleconnector 12. However, the embodiments of FIGS. 51 et seq. mayalternatively be used for hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical and otherconnectors and in general for releasably connecting matching first andsecond bodies of a connector to each other.

According to FIGS. 51 to 56, a connector 400 has a first body 401 whichis provided with a pair of spaced first and second shoulders 404 and 405of which the first shoulder 404 is located closer to the second body 402or to a rim or opening 406 of that first body 401, than the secondshoulder 405.

That embodiment provides one or more over-center toggle mechanisms 410with a first end portion 411 connected to the second body 402, such asby a rivet 412, with an opposite second end portion 413 resting on thesecond shoulder 405 in an over-center position of that toggle mechanismshown in FIGS. 52 and 54 and with an intermediate portion 414 extendingfrom that second end portion 413 in the direction of the first endportion 411, or attached thereto by a hinge mechanism or otherwise, andhaving a third end portion 415 abutting in that over-center position thefirst shoulder 404 when the first and second bodies 401 and 402 arejoined to each other as in FIGS. 52 and 54.

As shown in FIG. 51, the third end portion 415 engages the firstshoulder 404, such as at a projection 406, when the second body 402 ismoved toward the first body 401 in PG,42 the direction of arrow 417whereby the free portion of the overcentered toggle mechanism 410 slidesover the shoulder 404 until the third end portion 415 falls into theshoulder 404 as shown in FIG. 52 and the mechanism 410 is pushed down toprovide preloading, as indicated by the arrow 418, to its over-centerposition shown in FIGS. 52 and 54, whereby the second end portion 413comes to rest on the second shoulder 405 and the engagement of the firstshoulder 404 with the third end portion 415 releasably retains the firstbody 401 connected to the second body 402.

As shown in FIG. 53, the first body 401 may be released from the secondbody 402 by or when moving the first and second bodies relative to eachother, such as indicated by arrow 420, until the second end portion 413falls from the second shoulder 405 as indicated by arrow 421 and thethird end portion 415 is levered away and disengages from the firstshoulder 404. In this respect, it may be noted from FIG. 53 that theportion 415 pivots away from the shoulder 404. The first and secondbodies can then be pulled apart, as seen in FIG. 56.

According to a further embodiment, a fluid passage 10 is providedthrough the matching first and second bodies 401 and 402, and that fluidpassage is blocked when the first and second bodies are released fromeach other.

In this respect, a gate or valve 14 may be provided in at least one ofthe first and second bodies 401 and 402. As in FIGS. 1 et seq., thevalve 400 also provides an open fluid passage 10 through its first andsecond bodies and the valve 14 when the matching first and second bodies401 and 402 are connected to each other, but closes that fluid passagewith that valve 14 when these first and second bodies are released fromeach other, as in FIG. 48.

The more specific embodiment shown in FIGS. 54 to 56, provides a fluidpassage 10 in the matching first and second bodies 401 and 402, and asliding gate 41 movable transversely to that fluid passage in theconnector 400. The fluid passage is maintained open with the gate in afirst position of that gate 14, such as shown in FIG. 54. Conversely,the fluid passage is closed with that gate in a second position of thatgate, such as shown in FIG. 56. A detent 19 is again provided and thegate is detained with that detent in an open position against a biasacting continuously on that gate 14, such as also shown in FIG. 54. Thesliding gate is released from its detent 19 when the first and secondbodies are released from each other for sliding movement transversely tosaid fluid passage, and that gate is slid or propelled by virtue of itsbias 21 to a closed position, and is sealed to the fluid passage or to aport 33 in that closed position of the gate, such as shown in FIG. 56.

The embodiment of FIGS. 51 to 56 has the advantage that the frangibleconnection and the open gate position may be restored, such as shown inFIG. 51 to the operating position shown in FIG. 52 or 54.

The same applies in essence to the embodiment of the invention shown inFIGS. 57 to 66. As there shown, matching first and second bodies 501 and502 of a connector 500 are releasably connected to each other. Thatembodiment of the invention establishes a magnetic circuit 504 throughparts 505 and 506 of the first and second bodies 501 and 502 having apositive breakaway threshold, and releasably retains such first andsecond bodies in matching relationship with that magnetic circuit. Byway of example, these parts may be magnetic pole pieces 505 and 506which provide the desired breakaway threshold, energized by magnets 508and 509 and separated by non-magnetic spacers 510 and 511. These magnetsmay be electromagnets, but typically will be permanent magnets, in whichcase the length of the individual sections determines magnetic fieldstrength.

The first and second bodies 501 and 502 are selectively broken away fromeach other by breaking the magnetic circuit 504. In this respect, themagnetic field in the circuit 504 will resist such pulling apart ofconnector bodies 501 and 502. The connector is thus not easily brokenagainst the positive breakaway threshold. However, if the force becomesstrong relative to the magnetic field, exceeding the positive breakawaythreshold, sudden breakage of the connector occurs and the bodies 501and 502 are separated from each other, as shown in FIG. 60.

It can thus be said that the embodiments of FIGS. 57 to 66 constitute afrangible connector that preserves its integrity until there is a crashor other event that causes the connector to break away along the fluidpassage 10 in order to prevent a fuel leakage or other detrimentaloccurrence happening along the fluid passage 10.

However, in addition to or even apart from this there is a need to haveconnectors that can be broken down or taken apart against the existenceof a magnetic field even if there is no crash or the like. In thisrespect, FIGS. 61 to 66 show embodiments of the invention whichselectively release the first and second bodies 501 and 502 from eachother by shunting the magnetic circuit 504. By way of example, FIGS. 61to 64 show shunt rings 514. These are rings of steel or other resilientferromagnetic material that have a gap permitting radial expansion ofthe shunt ring 514 upon application of a force thereto.

As seen in FIGS. 61 to 64, the circumferences of the shunt rings 514 aresufficiently spaced from the adjacent outer pole piece 505 or 506 toprevent shunting of the magnetic field 504 when the connector is anoperative condition. In the illustrated embodiment, the inwardly actinginherent resiliency or bias of the shunt ring 514 is then stronger thanany radial magnetic field therealong between inner and outer pole pieces505 or 506.

However, if the adjacent end portions of the shunt ring 514 at the gap515 are driven apart, then the shunt ring is radially expanded until itphysically and magnetically bridges adjacent pole pieces 505 or 506. Asshown in FIG. 66 relative to FIG. 63, an eccentric actuator 516 can beprovided for forcing the shunt ring 514 outwardly at the gap 515circumferentially in contact with the outer pole piece. The actuator 516may be eccentrically shaped on a shaft 517 which is rotated or angularlymoved by a handle 518.

By way of example, the or either shunt ring 514 may be activated bymanually engaging the particular handle 518 and rotating or angularlymoving the eccentric actuator by 180° from the inactive or quiescentposition seen in FIGS. 61, 63, 64, to the active or activated positionshown in FIG. 66.

The connector halves or bodies 501 and 502 can then be taken apart orwill disconnect without occurrence of the strong force or powerful eventnecessary for breakup of the connector.

The connector can be reassembled by restoring the or each eccentricactuator 516 to its inactive position, such as shown in FIGS. 61, 63 and64. The shunt ring 514 then returns to its illustrated contractedcondition on its own resiliency or bias. Alternatively, the shunt ringmay be biased in the direction of shunting and a return mechanism (notshown) may be provided for returning the shunt ring to its non-shuntingposition away from the adjacent outer pole piece.

The fluid control or blockage features shown in FIGS. 1 to 50 may alsobe embodied in the magnetic embodiments of FIGS. 57 to 66, as shown to alimited extent by use of the same reference numerals for corresponding,similar or identical parts in FIGS. 57 to 66 as in their preceding FIGS.1 et seq.

In fact, the magnetic version may be used where a frangible connector orconnection has been shown in FIGS. 1 et seq. An advantage of using themagnetic version is that the connector and its housing are not damagedby a breakaway, and can be easily restored or reassembled.

In this or in any other manner, one or more valves 14, 34 etc. and afluid passage 10 are incorporated in the connector 500, and the magneticcircuit 504 is employed for releasably retaining the first and secondbodies 501 and 502 in matching relationship, with said fluid passage 10intact. However, the fluid passage is closed with the valve upon thebreaking of the first and second bodies away from each other, such as inthe manner described above for frangible connectors 12 and 112 forexample.

While I have illustrated particular embodiments of my invention, itwill, of course, be understood that I do not wish to be limited theretosince various modifications both in method and apparatus may be made,for example, in place of the bilateral guide a single centrally disposedguide could be substituted. Similarly, the transversal sliding motion ofthe gate need not be rectilinear, but could be curvilinear as would beif other types of gates were substituted such as a hinged, pivoted, orrotary gate. It then follows that any alternative gate type would stillbe within the claimed invention. Also where the continuously acting biasis represented by a torsion spring any means providing a continuous biascould be used, including, for example, air springs. In the magneticfrangible connector, the magnet and pole pieces are the preferredembodiments of the invention as providing the novel breakaway threshold,though the magnet alone can be used. Furthermore, any other frangibleclamps other than those specifically shown in the embodiments can beused.

In general these and other variations and alternatives as would beobvious to a person skilled in the art or conversant in this area ofexpertise would all come within the scope of this invention and Icontemplate by the appended claims to cover any such modifications asfall within the true spirit and scope of my invention.

The subject extensive disclosure will render apparent or suggest tothose skilled in the art various further modifications and variationswithin the spirit and scope of the subject invention and equivalentsthereof.

I claim:
 1. A method of blocking a fluid passage, comprising incombination the steps of:incorporating said fluid passage in a frangibleconnection; providing a sliding gate movable transversely to said fluidpassage in said frangible connection; maintaining said fluid passageopen with said gate in a first position of said gate; closing said fluidpassage with said gate in a second position of said gate; providing adetent and detaining said gate with said detent in an open positionagainst a bias acting continuously on said gate; releasing said slidinggate from said detent upon breakage of said frangible connection forsliding movement transversely to said fluid passage; sliding said gateby virtue of said bias to a closed position; and sealing said gate tosaid fluid passage in said closed position of the gate.
 2. A method asin claim 1, wherein:said fluid passage is left unobstructed by said gatein said first position of said gate.
 3. A method as in claim 1,wherein:said gate is provided with an aperture equal in cross-section tosaid fluid passage.
 4. A method as in claim 1, including the stepsof:providing around said fluid passage a first surface slanted relativeto said fluid passage; and providing said gate with a slanted secondsurface abutting said first surface in said open position of said gate.5. A method as in claim 1, including the step of:selectively resettingsaid sliding gate onto said detent.
 6. A method as in claim 4,wherein:said fluid passage is left unobstructed by said gate in saidfirst position of said gate.
 7. A method as in claim 4, whereinsaid gateis provided with an aperture equal in cross-section to said fluidpassage.
 8. A method as in claim 4, whereinsaid sliding gate is releasedmanually from said detent.
 9. A method as in claim 4, wherein:saidsliding gate is released in response to occurence of a change intemperature.
 10. A method as in claim 4, wherein:said sliding gate isreleased in response to occurence of a sudden motion.
 11. A method as inclaim 4, wherein:said sliding gate is released in response to occurrenceof a pressure surge.
 12. A method as in claim 4, wherein:said slidinggate is released from said detent by remote control.
 13. A method as inclaim 4, including the steps of:providing said first slanted surface ina fluid passage insert spaced from a fluid port in said fluid passage;and providing said sliding gate in the fluid passage between said fluidport and said fluid passage insert for closure of said fluid port insaid second position of said gate.
 14. A method as in claim 4, includingthe steps of:providing said first slanted surface in a fluid passageinsert spaced from a fluid port in said fluid passage; providing saidsliding gate between said fluid port and said fluid passage insert, withsaid first and second slanted surfaces sealed to each other around saidfluid passage and said fluid passage open to said fluid port in saidfirst position of said gate; separating said first and second slantedsurfaces from each other and closing said fluid port with said slidinggate in said second position of said gate; providing a bypass portspaced from said fluid port; and selectively bypassing the closed fluidport through said bypass port and past the separated first and secondslanted surfaces.
 15. A method as in claim 4, including the stepsof:providing said first slanted surface in a fluid passage insertbetween a first fluid port and a second fluid port in said fluidpassage; providing said sliding gate in the fluid passage between saidfirst fluid port and said fluid passage insert for closure of said firstfluid port in said second position of said gate; providing between saidsecond fluid port and said fluid passage insert a second sliding gatemovable transversely to said fluid passage; incorporating at least saidsecond sliding gate and said second fluid port in the frangibleconnection; maintaining said second fluid port open with said secondgate in a first position of said second gate; closing said fluid passageinsert with said second gate in a second position of said second gate;providing a second detent and detaining said second gate with saidsecond detent in an open position against a second bias actingcontinuously on said second gate; releasing said second sliding gatefrom said second detent upon breakage of said frangible connection forsliding movement transversely to said fluid passage; sliding said secondgate by virtue of said second bias to a closed position; and closingsaid fluid passage insert with said second gate in said closed positionof said second gate.
 16. A method as in claim 15, including the stepsof:providing a third fluid port in parallel to said first fluid port;and selectively passing fluid through said third fluid port and inbetween said first and second slanted surfaces through said fluidpassage insert and through said second fluid port, when said first fluidport is closed while said second fluid port is open.
 17. A method as inclaim 4, including the steps of:providing said first slanted surface ina fluid passage insert between a first fluid port and a second fluidport in said fluid passage; providing said sliding gate in the fluidpassage between said first fluid port and said fluid passage insert forclosure of said first fluid port in said second position of said gate;providing between said fluid passage insert and said second fluid port apair of further sliding gates moveable transversely to said fluidpassage; incorporating at least said pair of further sliding gates andsaid second fluid port in the frangible connection; maintaining saidsecond fluid port open with said pair of further gates in correspondingfirst positions of said pair of further gates; closing said fluidpassage insert and said second fluid port with said pair of furthergates in corresponding second positions of said pair of further gates;providing further detents and detaining said pair of further gates withsaid further detents in open positions against a further bias actingcontinuously on said pair of further gates; releasing said pair offurther sliding gates from said further detents upon breakage of saidfrangible connection for sliding movement transversely to said fluidpassage; sliding said pair of further gates by virtue of said furtherbias to a closed position; and closing said fluid passage insert andsaid second fluid port with said pair of further gates in said closedposition of said pair of further gates.
 18. A method as in claim 17,including the steps of:providing a third fluid port in parallel to saidfirst fluid port; and selectively passing fluid through said third fluidport and in between said first and second slanted surfaces through saidfluid passage insert and through said second fluid port, when said firstfluid port is closed while said second fluid port is open.
 19. A methodof selectively blocking and deblocking a fluid port in a fluid passage,comprising in combination the steps of:providing a pair of first andsecond sliding gates movable transversely to said fluid passage;providing said first gate with a first slanted surface around said fluidpassage in an open position of said first gate; providing said secondgate with a corresponding second slanted surface adjacent said fluidpassage in an open of said second gate; maintaining said fluid port openwith said first gate in a first position of said first gate and closingsaid fluid port with said first gate in a second position of said firstgate relative to said fluid passage; providing a first detent anddetaining said first gate with said first detent in one of said firstand second positions against a first bias acting continuously on saidfirst gate; releasing said first sliding gate from said first detentupon occurrence of a first event for sliding movement transversely tosaid fluid passage; propelling said first gate with said continuouslyacting first bias to the other of said first and second positions;providing a second detent and detaining said second gate with saidsecond detent in an open position of said second gate against a secondbias acting continuously on said second gate; releasing said secondsliding gate from said second detent upon occurrence of a second eventfor sliding movement transversely to said fluid passage; closing saidfluid passage with said second gate by propelling said second gate withsaid continuously acting second bias to its closed position; sealingsaid first and second gates to each other at said first and secondslanted surfaces in an open position of said first gate and in theclosed position of said second gate; providing a third sliding gatemoveable transversely to said fluid passage between said second slidinggate and a further fluid port in said fluid passage; providing afrangible connection between said second and third sliding gates;maintaining said further fluid port open with said third gate in a firstposition of said third gate; closing said further fluid port with saidthird gate in a second position of said third gate; providing a thirddetent and detaining said third gate with said third detent in an openposition against a third bias acting continuously on said third gate;releasing said second and third sliding gates from their second andthird detents upon breakage of said frangible connection for slidingmovement transversely to said fluid passage; and closing said furtherfluid port by sliding said third gate by virtue of said third bias to aclosed position, while propelling said second gate with said second biasto its closed position.
 20. A method as in claim 19, including the stepsof:providing said fluid passage as a bypass of another fluid passage;providing other sliding gates for selectively opening and closing thatother fluid passage; and using said first gate for selectively bypassingsaid other sliding gates when said other fluid passage is closed.
 21. Amethod of selectively blocking and deblocking spaced first and secondports in a fluid passage, comprising in combination the stepsof:incorporating said fluid passage in a frangible connection; providinga pair of first and second sliding gates movable transversely to saidfluid passage; maintaining one of said first and second ports open withone of said first and second gates in a first position of said one ofsaid first and second gates relative to said fluid passage; closing saidone of said first and second ports with said one of said first andsecond gates in a second position of said one of said first and secondgates; maintaining the other of said first and second ports open withthe other of said first and second gates in a first position of saidother of said first and second gates relative to said fluid passage;closing said other of said first and second ports with said other ofsaid first and second gates in a second position of said other of saidfirst and second gates; providing first and second detents and detainingsaid first and second gates with said first and second detents,respectively, in their first positions against a bias actingcontinuously on said gates; releasing said first sliding gate from saidfirst detent upon breakage of said frangible connection for slidingmovement transversely to said fluid passage; propelling said first gatewith said continuously acting bias to its second position; releasingsaid second sliding gate from said second detent upon breakage of saidfrangible connection for sliding movement transversely to said fluidpassage; and propelling said second gate with said continuously actingbias to its second position.
 22. A method as in claim 21, including thesteps of:releasing at least one of said sliding gates from its detentupon occurrence of an event other than breakage of said frangibleconnection; and releasing at least the other of said sliding gates fromits detent to its second position upon breakage of said frangibleconnection.
 23. A method as in claim 21, including the stepsof:providing one of said first and second gates with a first slantedsurface around said fluid passage; providing the other of said first andsecond gates with a corresponding second slanted surface around saidfluid passage; and sealing said first and second gates to each other atsaid first and second slanted surfaces around said fluid passage in anopen position of said first and second gates.
 24. A method in claim 21,including the step of:selectively resetting said sliding gates onto saiddetents.
 25. A method of selectively blocking and deblocking spacedfirst and second ports in a fluid passage, comprising in combination thesteps of:providing a pair of first and second sliding gates movabletransversely to said fluid passage; providing a fluid passage insertbetween said first and second sliding gates; providing a first slantedsurface in said fluid passage insert; providing one of said first andsecond gates with a corresponding second slanted surface; maintainingone of said first and second ports open with one of said first andsecond gates in a first position of said one of said first and secondgates relative to said fluid passage; sealing said one of said first andsecond gates and said fluid passage insert to each other at said firstand second slanted surfaces around said fluid passage in an openposition of said one of said first and second gates; separating saidfirst and second slanted surfaces from each other and closing said oneof said first and second ports with said one of said first and secondgates in the second position of said one of said first and second gates;maintaining the other of said first and second ports open with the otherof said first and second gates in a first position of said other of saidfirst and second gates relative to said fluid passage; closing saidother of said first and second ports with said other of said first andsecond gates in a second position of said other of said first and secondgates; providing first and second detents and detaining said first andsecond gates with said first and second detents, respectively, in one oftheir respective first and second positions against a bias actingcontinuously on said gates; providing a third port spaced from said oneof said first and second ports; releasing said first sliding gate fromsaid first detent upon occurrence of an event for sliding movementtransversely to said fluid passage; propelling said first gate with saidcontinuously acting bias to the other of its first and second positions;releasing said second sliding gate from said second detent uponoccurrence of an event for sliding movement transversely to said fluidpassage; propelling said second gate with said continuously acting biasto the other of its first and second positions; selectively bypassingthe closed one of said first and second ports through said third portand past the separated first and second slanted surfaces; incorporatingsaid fluid passage and at least the other of said first and second gatesin a frangible connection; releasing said other of said first and secondsliding gates from its detent upon breakage of said frangibleconnection; and closing the other of said first and second ports withsaid other of said first and second sliding gates.
 26. A method ofselectively blocking and deblocking spaced first and second ports in afluid passage,providing a pair of first and second sliding gates movabletransversely to said fluid passage; providing a fluid passage insertbetween said first and second sliding gates; providing a first slantedsurface in said fluid passage insert; providing one of said first andsecond gates with a corresponding second slanted surface; maintainingone of said first and second ports open with one of said first andsecond gates in a first position of said one of said first and secondgates relative to said fluid passage; sealing said one of said first andsecond gates and said fluid passage insert to each other at said firstand second slanted surfaces around said fluid passage in an openposition of said one of said first and second gates; separating saidfirst and second slanted surfaces from each other and closing said oneof said first and second ports with said one of said first and secondgates in the second position of said one of said first and second gates;maintaining the other of said first and second ports open with the otherof said first and second gates in a first position of said other of saidfirst and second gates relative to said fluid passage; closing saidother of said first and second ports with said other of said first andsecond gates in a second position of said other of said first and secondgates; providing first and second detents and detaining said first andsecond gates with said first and second detents, respectively, in one oftheir respective first and second positions against a bias actingcontinuously on said gates; providing a third port spaced from said oneof said first and second ports; releasing said first sliding gate fromsaid first detent upon occurrence of an event for sliding movementtransversely to said fluid passage; propelling said first gate with saidcontinuously acting bias to the other of its first and second positions;releasing said second sliding gate from said second detent uponoccurrence of an event for sliding movement transversely to said fluidpassage; and propelling said second gate with said continuously actingbias to the other of its first and second positions; selectivelybypassing the closed one of said first and second ports through saidthird port and past the separated first and second slanted surfaces;providing between said fluid passage insert and said second sliding gatea further sliding gate moveable transversely to said fluid passage;maintaining a fourth port through said fluid passage insert open withsaid further sliding gate in a first position of said further slidinggate relative to said fourth port; closing said fourth port with saidfurther sliding gate in a second position of said further sliding gate;providing a third detent and detaining said further sliding gate withsaid third detent in its first position against a further bias actingcontinuously on said further sliding gate; incorporating said fluidpassage and at least said further sliding gate and the other of saidfirst and second gates in a frangible connection; and effecting saidrelease and said propelling of said other of said first and secondsliding gates and said release and said propelling of said furthersliding gate upon breakage of said frangible connection.
 27. A method asin claim 26, including the steps of:providing said gates withcomplementary tapered wedges having adjacent complementary inclinedsurfaces; and sliding said complementary inclined surfaces along eachother during said sliding movement transversely to said fluid passage.28. A method as in claim 26, including the steps of:providing a secondpair of sliding gates moveable transversely to said fluid passage;opening and closing said fluid passage with said second pair of slidinggates in series with the first-mentioned pair of sliding gates;providing the gates in said second pair with second complementarytapered wedges having adjacent second complementary inclined surfaces;and sliding said second complementary inclined surfaces along each otherduring transverse movement of the sliding gates in said second pair. 29.A method of selectively blocking and deblocking a first fluid port and asecond fluid port in a fluid passage, comprising in combination thesteps of:incorporating said fluid passage in a frangible connection;providing a first pair of first and second sliding gates movabletransversely to said fluid passage at said first fluid port; providing asecond pair of third and fourth sliding gates movable transversely tosaid fluid passage at said second fluid port; providing said first gatewith a first slanted surface around said fluid passage; providing saidsecond gate with a corresponding second slanted surface around saidfluid passage adjacent said first slanted surface; providing said thirdgate with a third slanted surface around said fluid passage; providingsaid fourth gate with a corresponding fourth slanted surface around saidfluid passage adjacent said third slanted surface; maintaining saidfirst fluid port open with said first pair in a first position of saidfirst and second gates and closing said first fluid port with said firstpair in a second position of said first and second gates relative toeach other; providing a first detent and detaining said first pair offirst and second sliding gates with said first detent in said firstposition against a first bias acting continuously on said first andsecond gates; releasing said first pair of sliding gates from said firstdetent upon breakage of said frangible connection for sliding movementtransversely to said fluid passage; propelling said first pair ofsliding gates with said continuously acting first bias to said secondposition; maintaining said second fluid port open with said second pairin a first position of said third and fourth gates and closing saidfluid port with said first pair in a second position of said third andfourth gates relative to each other; providing a second detent anddetaining said second pair of third and fourth gates with said seconddetent in said first position of said third and fourth gates against asecond bias acting continuously on said third and fourth gates;releasing said second pair of sliding gates from said second detent uponbreakage of said frangible connection for sliding movement transverselyto said fluid passage; and propelling said second pair of third andfourth sliding gates with said continuously acting second bias to theirsecond position.
 30. Apparatus for blocking a fluid passage, comprisingin combination:a frangible connection around said fluid passage; asliding gate; means for mounting said sliding gate in said frangibleconnection for movement transversely to said fluid passage between afirst position wherein said fluid passage is maintained open with saidgate, and a second position wherein said fluid passage is closed by saidgate; a detent detaining said gate in said first position; a bias actingcontinuously on said gate for propelling said gate to the other of saidfirst and second positions upon release from said detent; and means forreleasing said sliding gate from said detent upon breakage of saidfrangible connection for sliding movement transversely to said fluidpassage to said second position whereby said fluid passage is closed bysaid gate.
 31. Apparatus as in claim 30, wherein:said fluid passageextends through said gate in said first position of said gate. 32.Apparatus as in claim 30, wherein:said gate has an aperture equal incross-section to said fluid passage.
 33. Apparatus as in claim 30,including:a first surface around said fluid passage slanted relative tosaid fluid passage; and a slanted second surface on said gate abuttingsaid first surface in said open position of said gate.
 34. Apparatus asin claim 33, including:means for resetting said gate to said one of saidfirst and second positions for detention with said detent in said one ofsaid first and second positions against said bias.
 35. Apparatus as inclaim 33, wherein:said fluid passage extends unobstructed through saidgate in said first position of said gate.
 36. Apparatus as in claim 33,wherein:said means for releasing said sliding gate include means forreleasing said sliding gate manually from said detent.
 37. Apparatus asin claim 33, wherein:said means for releasing said sliding gate includemeans for releasing said sliding gate in response to occurrence of achange in temperature as said event.
 38. Apparatus as in claim 33,wherein:said means for releasing said sliding gate include means forreleasing said sliding gate in response to occurrence of a sudden motionas said event.
 39. Apparatus as in claim 33, wherein:said means forreleasing said sliding gate include means for releasing said slidinggate in response to occurrence of a pressure surge as said event. 40.Apparatus as in claim 31, wherein:said means for releasing said slidinggate include means for releasing said sliding gate from said detent byremote control.
 41. Apparatus as in claim 30, including:a second fluidpassage in parallel to the first mentioned fluid passage; a secondsliding gate; means for mounting said second sliding gate for movementtransversely to said second fluid passage between a first positionwherein said second fluid passage is maintained closed with said secondgate, and a second position wherein said second fluid passage is openedby said gate; a second detent detaining said second gate in one of itsfirst and second positions; a second bias acting continuously on saidsecond gate for propelling said second gate to the other of its firstand second positions upon release from said second detent; and means forselectively releasing said second gate from said second detent forsliding movement transversely to said second fluid passage. 42.Apparatus for selectively blocking and deblocking spaced first andsecond ports in a fluid passage, comprising in combination:a frangibleconnection incorporating said fluid passage; a pair of first and secondsliding gates; means for mounting one of said first and second slidinggates for movement transversely to said fluid passage between a firstposition wherein one of said first and second ports is maintained openwith said one of said first and second gates, and a second positionwherein said one of said first and second ports is closed by said one ofsaid first and second gates; means for mounting the other of said firstand second sliding gates for movement transversely to said fluid passagebetween a first position wherein the other of said first and secondports is maintained open with said other of said first and second gates,and a second position wherein said other of said first and second portsis closed by said other of said first and second gates; first and seconddetents detaining said first and second gates, respectively, in one oftheir respective first and second positions; a bias acting continuouslyon said gates for propelling said gates to the other of their respectivefirst and second positions upon release from their detents; means forreleasing said first sliding gate from said first detent upon breakageof said frangible connection for sliding movement transversely to saidfluid passage; and means for releasing said second sliding gate fromsaid second detent upon occurrence of an event for sliding movementtransversely to said fluid passage.
 43. Apparatus as in claim 42,including:means for releasing both of said first and second gates uponoccurrence of an event.
 44. Apparatus as in claim 42, wherein:said meansfor releasing said first sliding gate includes means for releasing saidfirst sliding gate upon occurrence of a first event; and said means forreleasing said second sliding gate include means for releasing saidsecond sliding gate upon occurrence of a second event different fromsaid first event.
 45. Apparatus as in claim 42, including:said means forreleasing said first sliding gate include means for releasing said firstsliding gate from its detent upon occurrence of an event other thanbreakage of said frangible connection; and said means for releasing saidsecond sliding gate include means for releasing said second sliding gatefrom its detent to its second position upon breakage of said frangibleconnection.
 46. A method as in claim 42, including:a first slantedsurface around said fluid passage on one of said first and second gates;and a corresponding second slanted surface around said fluid passage onthe other of said first and second gates and abutting said first slantedsurfaces around said fluid passage in an open position of said first andsecond gates.
 47. A method as in claim 42, including:means forselectively resetting said sliding gates onto said detents. 48.Apparatus as in claim 42, including:a fluid passage insert between saidfirst and second sliding gates; a first slanted surface on said fluidpassage insert; a corresponding second slanted surface on one of saidfirst and second gates abutting said first slanted surface around saidfluid passage in an open position of said one of said first and secondgates, but separated from said first slanted surface when said one ofsaid first and second gates is in its second position closing one ofsaid first and second ports; a third port spaced from said one of saidfirst and second ports; a bypass of the closed one of said first andsecond ports through said third port and past the separated first andsecond slanted surfaces; said frangible connection incorporating saidfluid passage and at least the other of said first and second gates; andmeans for releasing said other of said first and second sliding gatesfrom its detent for closure of the other of said first and second portsupon breakage of said frangible connection.
 49. Apparatus as in claim42, including:a third port spaced from said one of said first and secondports; a fluid passage insert between said first and second slidinggates having a fourth port in said fluid passage; a first slantedsurface on said fluid passage insert; a corresponding second slantedsurface on one of said first and second gates abutting said firstslanted surface around said fluid passage in an open position of saidone of said first and second gates, but separated from said firstslanted surface when said one of said first and second gates is in itssecond position closing one of said first and second ports; a bypass ofthe closed one of said first and second ports through said third portand past the separated first and second slanted surfaces; a furthersliding gate moveable transversely to said fluid passage between saidfluid passage insert and said second sliding gate; means for maintainingsaid fourth port through said fluid passage insert open with saidfurther sliding gate in a first position of said further sliding gaterelative to said fourth port and for closing said fourth port with saidfurther sliding gate in a second position of said further sliding gate;a third detent for detaining said further sliding gate in its firstposition against a further bias acting continuously on said furthersliding gate; said frangible connection incorporating said fluid passageand at least said further sliding gate and the other of said first andsecond gates; and means for releasing said other of said first andsecond sliding gates to its second position and for closing said fourthport with said further sliding gate upon breakage of said frangibleconnection.
 50. Apparatus as in claim 42, including:a first fluidpassage insert between said first and second sliding gates; a firstslanted surface on said fluid passage insert; a corresponding secondslanted surface on one of said first and second gates abutting saidfirst slanted surface around said fluid passage in an open position ofsaid one of said first and second gates, but separated from said firstslanted surface when said one of said first and second gates is in itssecond position closing one of said first and second ports; a third portspaced from said one of said first and second ports; a second fluidpassage insert defining said one of said first and second ports betweensaid third port and said one of said first and second sliding gates; athird slanted surface on said second fluid passage insert; a thirdsliding gate having an open and closed position between said third portand said second fluid passage insert, and having a fourth slantedsurface corresponding to and abutting said third slanted surface aroundsaid fluid passage in the open position of said third sliding gate, butseparated from said third slanted surface when said third sliding gateis in its position closing said third port; a bypass of the third portand of closed one of said first and second ports through said secondinsert and past the separated first and second slanted surfaces and theseparated third and fourth slanted surfaces; said frangible connectionincorporating said fluid passage and at least the other of said firstand second gates; and means for releasing said other of said first andsecond sliding gates from its detent for closure of the other of saidfirst and second ports upon breakage of said frangible connection. 51.Apparatus as in claim 42, including:a first fluid passage insert betweensaid first and second sliding gates; a first slanted surface on saidfluid passage insert; a corresponding second slanted surface on one ofsaid first and second gates abutting said first slanted surface aroundsaid fluid passage in an open position of said one of said first andsecond gates, but separated from said first slanted surface when saidone of said first and second gates is in its second position closing oneof said first and second ports; a third port spaced from said one ofsaid first and second ports; a second fluid passage insert defining saidone of said first and second ports between said third port and said oneof said first and second sliding gates; a third slanted surface on saidsecond fluid passage insert; a third sliding gate having open and closedpositions between said third port and said second fluid passage insert,and having a fourth slanted surface corresponding to and abutting saidthird slanted surface around said fluid passage in the open position ofsaid third sliding gate, but separated from said third slanted surfacewhen said third sliding gate is in its position closing said third port;a bypass of the third port and of the closed one of said first andsecond ports through said second insert and past the separated first andsecond slanted surfaces and the separated third and fourth slantedsurfaces; a further sliding gate moveable transversely to said fluidpassage between said first fluid passage insert and said other of saidfirst and second sliding gates; means for maintaining a fourth portthrough said fluid passage insert open with said further sliding gate ina first position of said further sliding gate relative to said fourthport and for closing said fourth port with said further sliding gate ina second position of said further sliding gate; a further detent fordetaining said further sliding gate in its first position against afurther bias acting continuously on said further sliding gate; saidfrangible connection incorporating said fluid passage and at least saidfurther sliding gate and the other of said first and second gates; andmeans releasing said other of said first and second sliding gates to itssecond position and for closing said fourth port with said furthersliding gate upon breakage of said frangible connection.
 52. Apparatusas in claim 42, wherein:said gates comprise complementary tapered wedgeshaving adjacent complementary inclined surfaces slideable along eachother during sliding movement of said gates transversely to said fluidpassage.
 53. Apparatus as in claim 42, including:a second pair ofsliding gates moveable transversely to said fluid passage and comprisingsecond complementary tapered wedges having adjacent second complementaryinclined surfaces slideable along each other during transverse movementof the sliding gates in said second pair; and means for opening andclosing said fluid passage with said second pair of sliding gates inseries with the first-mentioned pair of sliding gates.
 54. Apparatus forselectively blocking and deblocking a first fluid port and a secondfluid port in a fluid passage, comprising in combination:a frangibleconnection incorporating said fluid passage; a first pair of first andsecond sliding gates movable transversely to said fluid passage at saidfirst fluid port; a second pair of third and fourth sliding gatesmovable transversely to said fluid passage at said second fluid port;said first gate having a first slanted surface around said fluidpassage; said second gate having a corresponding second slanted surfacearound said fluid passage adjacent said first slanted surface; saidthird gate having a third slanted surface around said fluid passage;said fourth gate having a corresponding fourth slanted surface aroundsaid fluid passage adjacent said third slanted surface; means formaintaining said first fluid port open with said first pair in a firstposition of said first and second gates and for closing said first fluidport with said first pair in a second position of said first and secondgates relative to each other; a first detent for detaining said firstpair of first and second sliding gates in said first position against afirst bias acting continuously on said first and second gates; means forreleasing said first pair of sliding gates from said first detent uponoccurrence of a first event for sliding movement transversely to saidfluid passage; means for propelling said first pair of sliding gateswith said continuously acting first bias to said second position; meansfor maintaining said second fluid port open with said second pair in afirst position of said third and fourth gates and closing said secondfluid port with said second pair in a second position of said third andfourth gates relative to each other; a second detent for detaining saidsecond pair of third and fourth gates in said first position of saidthird and fourth gates against a second bias acting continuously on saidthird and fourth gates; means for releasing said second pair of slidinggates from said second detent upon occurrence of a second event forsliding movement transversely to said fluid passage; and means forpropelling said pair of third and fourth sliding gates with saidcontinuously acting second bias to said second position of said thirdand fourth gates.